Because autumn in Alaska is so brief, we have to plan our outdoor excursions accordingly. The fall foliage intensifies the natural beauty of our surroundings, so this is the time of year I love to visit some of the most unique places near Anchorage. The mountains turn red, trees blaze with the colors of fire, and stormy weather typically rolls in and creates dramatic moods.

I've been asking my husband to hike on the Matanuska Glacier with me ever since I did it with my aunt four years ago. We finally decided to do it and invited our in-laws along. Though we had limited time to explore, time flew by as we made amazing discoveries! Pictured below you can see my brother-in-law drinking pure glacial water from a trickling waterfall. Also pictured is me squishing glacial mud between my fingers. (I can't help being easily amused. This stuff is the smoothest, finest mud you'll ever feel!)

My husband had been hesitant about hiking the glacier because of safety concerns. While those weren't completely unfounded, the glacier is easy to safely traverse with a little bit of the right gear. We used over-the-shoes rubber ice cleats and trekking poles, but next time we want to rent crampons from a place in town so we can get around with perfect ease and go much farther back on the glacier.

Still, the glacier is probably not a place to bring young children or anyone with unsure footing. As you can see below, many of the ledges are sheer drop-offs into glacial water—not what I want anyone to fall into! There were a couple small crevasses we had to hop over, and the ice is slick in some parts, but overall the main route is well traveled and fairly easy.

We had so much fun looking at ice shelves jutting out in seemingly random places, playing with glacial mud (the "rock" in the picture below is entirely glacial mud that was forced upward! It all breaks apart in your fingers), and being more and more amazed at the view.

The landscape seemed otherworldly. I was amazed at how the glacier had changed shape in the past four years since I'd been on it, and yet a few parts still looked similar.

If you come to Alaska and have a surefooted group, make sure this place is on your list! It is completely worth your time and the entrance fee (the only access road, off milepost 102, crosses over private land and you have to sign safety waivers and pay to cross their land). Hiking the Matanuska Glacier is an unforgettable Alaskan experience!

Hello!

I'm a mom of twins, published author, editor, amateur photographer, and nature enthusiast with an unlimited supply of curiosity. Come discover the little wonders I find during my everyday life in Alaska.